Method, device, and system for optimizing short message signaling

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a method which includes: receiving a message, where the message carries a parameter indicating a validity period of a short message sent to a user or indication information indicating whether a record needs to be added to MWD of a user when a short message cannot be transmitted or fails to be transmitted; determining that the short message cannot be transmitted or the short message fails to be transmitted, and a value of the parameter is 0 or the indication information indicates that the record does not need to be added to the MWD of the user when the short message cannot be transmitted or fails to be transmitted; and skipping adding the record to the MWD of the user, where the record includes an identifier of a service center for short message service serving the user. According to the method, additional signaling interaction is reduced.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/386,072, filed on Apr. 16, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/696,971, filed on Apr. 27, 2015, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,299,085, which is a continuation of InternationalApplication No. PCT/CN2013/085195, filed on Oct. 14, 2013, which claimspriority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201210417059.1, filed on Oct.26, 2012. All of the afore-mentioned patent applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the communications technologies field,and in particular, to a method, device, and system for optimizing shortmessage signaling.

BACKGROUND

In a conventional short message system, when a user equipment movesbetween a 2^(nd) generation (2G) communications technology/3^(rd)generation (3G) communications technology system and a Long TermEvolution (LTE) system, the user equipment needs to perform locationregistration by means of a routing area update (RAU)/location areaupdate (LAU)/tracking area update (TAU). For a mobile terminated shortmessage (MTSM) service, a home location register (HLR)/home subscriberserver (HSS) needs to return, according to registration information ofthe user equipment (UE) in a mobile switching center (MSC)/visitorlocation register (VLR) or a serving general packet radio service (GPRS)support node (SGSN) or a mobility management entity (MME), a correctaddress of a serving node to a gateway MSC for short message service(SMS-GMSC), so that a short message is forwarded to the correspondingserving node and is sent to the user equipment.

A machine type communication (MTC) application refers to networkcommunication performed among one or more network elements or deviceswithout human participation. Generally, the MTC application does notneed voice communication, and data services are main demands of the MTCapplication. Currently, triggering by means of a short message is a mainmanner of Device Triggering in MTC. Different from the conventionalshort message system, two new network elements are defined in an MTCsystem, which are: a service capability server (SCS) and anMTC-interworking function (Machine Type Communication-InterWorkingFunction, MTC-IWF). The MTC-IWF may acquire, from an HSS, information (aname or an address of one or all of an MSC/VLR, an SGSN, and an MME)about a serving node that provides a short message service for a user,and send the information to a service center for short message service(SMS-SC), and then the SMS-SC sends a device triggering message to theuser through the serving node.

A Validity-Period parameter indicating a validity period of a shortmessage exists in a message for sending the short message, and indicatesvalid time of the short message starting from the time when the SMS-SCreceives the short message, that is, time for which the SMS-SC needs tostore the short message before the short message is successfullytransmitted. In an MTSMS transmission process, if the short messagecannot be transmitted or fails to be transmitted, the HLR/HSS adds arecord to short message waiting data (MWD) of a user, where the recordincludes an address of the SMS-SC serving the user. Subsequently, whenthe short message can be transmitted, the HLR/HSS instructs the SMS-SCto retransmit the short message to the user. However, for a shortmessage whose value of Validity-Period is 0, the SMS-SC does not havedata of the short message; therefore, even if the short message may betransmitted subsequently, the short message still cannot beretransmitted.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, device, andsystem for optimizing short message signaling, to reduce additionalsignaling interaction caused by instructing a service center for shortmessage service to retransmit a short message.

A first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure provides amethod for optimizing short message signaling, including:

-   -   receiving a message sent by a network device, where the message        carries a parameter indicating a validity period of a short        message sent to a user or indication information indicating        whether a record needs to be added to MWD of a user when a short        message cannot be transmitted or fails to be transmitted;    -   determining that the short message cannot be transmitted or        fails to be transmitted, and a value of the parameter is 0 or        the indication information indicates that the record does not        need to be added to the MWD of the user when the short message        cannot be transmitted or fails to be transmitted; and    -   skipping adding the record to the short message waiting data MWD        of the user, where the record includes an identifier of a        service center for short message service serving the user.

In a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, whenthere is no available serving node for providing a short message servicefor the user, it is determined that the short message cannot betransmitted.

In a second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, when ashort message fails to be transmitted because a user equipment isunreachable or a user equipment has no available storage space, it isdetermined that the short message fails to be transmitted.

A second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure provides adevice for optimizing short message signaling, including:

-   -   a receiving unit, configured to receive a message sent by a        network device, where the message carries a parameter indicating        a validity period of a short message sent to a user or        indication information indicating whether a record needs to be        added to MWD of a user when a short message cannot be        transmitted or fails to be transmitted; and    -   a processing unit, configured to: when it is determined that the        short message cannot be transmitted or fails to be transmitted,        if a value of the parameter is 0 or the indication information        indicates that the record does not need to be added to the MWD        of the user when the short message cannot be transmitted or        fails to be transmitted, skip adding the record to the short        message waiting data MWD of the user, where the record includes        an identifier of a service center for short message service        serving the user.

In a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, theprocessing unit is further configured to: when there is no availableserving node for providing a short message service for the user,determine that the short message cannot be transmitted.

In a second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, theprocessing unit is further configured to: when a short message fails tobe transmitted because a user equipment is unreachable or a userequipment has no available storage space, determine that the shortmessage cannot be transmitted.

A third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure provides asystem for optimizing short message signaling, including a first deviceand a second device, where the first device is configured to send amessage to the second device, where the message carries a parameterindicating a validity period of a short message sent to a user orindication information indicating whether a record needs to be added toMWD of a user when a short message cannot be transmitted or fails to betransmitted; the second device is configured to: receive the messagesent by the first device; when it is determined that the short messagecannot be transmitted or fails to be transmitted, and if a value of theparameter is 0 or the indication information indicates that the recorddoes not need to be added to the MWD of the user when the short messagecannot be transmitted or fails to be transmitted, skip adding the recordto the short message waiting data MWD of the user, where the recordincludes an identifier of a service center for short message serviceserving the user.

According to a method, device, and system for optimizing short messagesignaling provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, amessage sent by a network device is received, and the message carries aparameter indicating a validity period of a short message sent to a useror indication information indicating whether a record needs to be addedto MWD of a user when a short message cannot be transmitted or fails tobe transmitted; it is determined that the short message cannot betransmitted or fails to be transmitted, where a value of the parameteris 0 or the indication information indicates that the record does notneed to be added to the MWD of the user when the short message cannot betransmitted or fails to be transmitted; and the record is not added tothe short message waiting data MWD of the user, where the recordincludes an identifier of a service center for short message serviceserving the user. Therefore, additional signaling interaction caused byinstructing a service center for short message service to retransmit ashort message is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the presentdisclosure more clearly, the following briefly introduces theaccompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments.Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description showmerely some embodiments of the present disclosure, and a person ofordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from theseaccompanying drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional short messagesystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an MTC system according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for optimizing short message signalingaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another method for optimizing short messagesignaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another method for optimizing short messagesignaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another method for optimizing short messagesignaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of another method for optimizing short messagesignaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another method for optimizing short messagesignaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a structural diagram of a device for optimizing short messagesignaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a system for optimizing short messagesignaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a structural diagram of another device for optimizing shortmessage signaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following clearly and completely describes the technical solutionsin the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to theaccompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure.Apparently, the described embodiments are merely a part rather than allof the embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodimentsobtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on theembodiments of the present disclosure without creative efforts shallfall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional short messagesystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The systemincludes: an SMS-SC providing short message forwarding and temporarystorage functions, an interworking MSC for short message service(SMS-IWMSC) providing a short message forwarding function for a mobileoriginated short message (MOSM), and an SMS-GMSC providing short messagerouting and forwarding functions for an MTSM. An HLR/HSS mainly includesuser subscription data and user location information. An MSC/VLR is aserving node with which a UE registers in a circuit switched (CS)network, an SGSN is a serving node with which the UE registers in apacket switched (PS) network, and an MME is a serving node with whichthe UE registers in an evolved packet system (EPS) network. The MSC/VLR,the SGSN, or the MME may be collectively called a mobility managementnetwork element and provide mobility management and a service for theuser, including functioning as a short message serving node to providethe short message service for the user. A short message service router(SMS Router) is an optional device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an MTC system according toan embodiment of the present disclosure. In the MTC system, when an IPaddress of a user equipment is unknown or unavailable, an SCS needs toinstruct, by using a device triggering mechanism, the user equipment toexecute an application layer instruction, for example, to establishcommunication with the SCS or an AS (application server). A mobilitymanagement network element may be an MSC/VLR, an SGSN, or an MME.Currently, triggering by means of a short message is a main manner ofdevice triggering in MTC.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for optimizing short message signalingaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method may beapplied to a conventional short message system, and may also be appliedto an MTC system. The method for optimizing short message signalingincludes:

S301: Receive a message sent by a network device, where the messagecarries a parameter indicating a validity period of a short message sentto a user or indication information indicating whether a record needs tobe added to MWD of a user when a short message cannot be transmitted orfails to be transmitted.

Optionally, the parameter indicating the validity period of the shortmessage may be Validity-Period.

S303: Determine that the transmission of the short message cannot betransmitted or fails to be transmitted, and a value of the parameter is0 or the indication information indicates that the short message cannotbe transmitted or fails to be transmitted.

Optionally, when there is no available serving node for providing ashort message service for the user, it is determined that the shortmessage cannot be transmitted.

For example, when the user does not register with any node, or when anode cannot provide a short message service for the user even though theuser registers with the node, there is no available serving node forproviding the short message service for the user.

Optionally, when the short message fails to be transmitted because auser equipment is unreachable or a user equipment has no availablestorage space, it is determined that the short message fails to betransmitted.

S305: Skip adding a record to the MWD of the user, where the recordincludes an identifier of a service center for short message serviceserving the user.

Specifically, the identifier may be a number of the service center forshort message service, or may also be an address of the service centerfor short message service.

The skipping adding the record to the MWD of the user may also be:omitting adding the record to the MWD of the user.

Optionally, when it is determined that the short message cannot betransmitted or fails to be transmitted, and if the value of theparameter is not 0, the parameter is added to the record of the user. Atimer is started, and when time indicated by the parameter is reached orexceeded, the record is deleted.

Optionally, the network device may be a gateway mobile switching centerfor short message service, and the message may be a short messagerouting request message or a short message transmission report message.

According to the method for optimizing short message signaling providedin this embodiment, for a short message of which a parameter value of avalidity period of the short message is 0, after it is determined thatthe short message cannot be transmitted or fails to be transmitted, anidentifier of an SMS-SC is not added to MWD of a user, and subsequently,it is not required to instruct the SMS-SC to retransmit the shortmessage to a UE. Therefore, signaling to the SMS-SC is reduced, andresource overheads for managing records in MWD in the system are saved.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for optimizing short message signalingaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the methodprovided in this embodiment may be applied to a conventional shortmessage service system.

S401: An SMS-SC transmits a short message to an SMS-GMSC.

S402: The SMS-GMSC sends a short message routing request message to anHLR/HSS, to request short message routing information.

Optionally, the short message routing request message may be aMAP_SendRoutingInfoForSM request message.

Optionally, when an SMS-Router exists in a network, the SMS-GMSC sendsthe short message routing request message to the SMS-Router, and theSMS-Router then sends the short message routing request message to theHLR/HSS to request the short message routing information.

The short message routing request message carries a parameter indicatinga validity period of the short message. Certainly, the short messagerouting request message may also carry indication information indicatingwhether a record needs to be added to MWD of a user when the shortmessage cannot be transmitted.

Optionally, the short message routing request message carries theparameter or the indication information, which may be implemented byusing an extension parameter of the short message routing requestmessage or by using an existing parameter in the short message routingrequest message.

In this embodiment, the short message routing request message carryingthe parameter indicating the validity period of the short message isused as an example. The parameter may specifically be Validity-Period. Avalue of Validity-Period may be acquired by the SMS-GMSC from a receivedmessage, or may also be acquired by the SMS-GMSC from the SMS-SC, forexample, a value of Validity-Period is configured on the SMS-SC.

S403: If the HLR/HSS determines that the short message cannot betransmitted, and if a value of the parameter indicating the validityperiod of the short message is 0, skip adding a record to the MWD of theuser, where the record includes an identifier of a service center forshort message service serving the user.

Specifically, the identifier may be a number of the service center forshort message service, or may also be an address of the service centerfor short message service.

Specifically, if there is no available serving node (which may be one ofan MSC/VLR, an SGSN, and an MME) providing a short message service forthe user, it is determined that the short message cannot be transmitted.Generally, if the HLR/HSS records the serving node, such as the MSC/VLR,the SGSN, or the MME providing mobility management and a service for theuser, and when these nodes or some of the nodes can provide the shortmessage service, it indicates that there is an available serving nodefor providing the short message service for the user.

S404: The HLR/HSS returns a short message routing request responsemessage to the SMS-GMSC. The short message routing request responsemessage carries information indicating that there is no availableserving node for providing the short message service for the user, whichmay be specifically indicated in this embodiment by using AbsentSubscriber SMS.

Optionally, the short message routing request response message may be aMAP_SendRoutingInfoForSMS Response.

A sequence of S403 and S404 is not limited.

S405: If the SMS-GMSC fails to acquire a serving node, return a failurereport to the SMS-SC.

Optionally, in S403, if the value of Validity-Period received by theHLR/HSS is not 0, the HLR/HSS adds Validity-Period to the record of theMWD of the user, starts a timer, and when time indicated byValidity-Period is reached or exceeded, deletes the record; or, whenthere is an available serving node for providing the short messageservice for the user, the HLR/HSS notifies the SMS-SC if the HLR/HSSfinds that the value of the parameter is still in the validity period.

Optionally, if transmission of multiple short messages to a same userthrough one SMS-SC fails, a maximum Validity-Period value among theValidity-Period values which respectively correspond to the shortmessages is always stored in the record of the MWD corresponding to theuser and the SMS-SC in the HLR/HSS.

According to the method for optimizing short message signaling providedin this embodiment, for a short message of which a parameter value of avalidity period of the short message is 0, after it is determined thatthe short message cannot be transmitted, an identifier of an SMS-SC isnot added to MWD of a user, and subsequently, it is not required toinstruct the SMS-SC to retransmit the short message to a UE. Therefore,signaling to the SMS-SC is reduced, and resource overheads for managingrecords in MWD in the system are saved.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a method for optimizing short messagesignaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and themethod provided in this embodiment may be applied to a conventionalshort message service system.

S501: An SMS-SC transmits a short message to an SMS-GMSC.

S502: The SMS-GMSC sends a short message routing request message to anHLR/HSS, to request short message routing information.

Optionally, the short message routing request message may be aMAP_SendRoutingInfoForSM request message.

Optionally, when an SMS-Router exists in a network, the SMS-Router maysend the short message routing request message to the HLR/HSS to requestthe short message service routing information.

S503: The HLR/HSS determines that there is an available serving node forproviding a short message service for a user, and returns a shortmessage routing request response message to the SMS-GMSC, where theshort message routing request response message carries information aboutthe serving node for providing the short message service for the user.

The carried information about the serving node for providing the shortmessage service for the user may be a name or an address of one or allof an MSCNLR, an SGSN, and an MME.

In this embodiment, the SGSN is used as an example.

S504: The SMS-GMSC transmits the short message to the SGSN, that is,transmits the short message to the SGSN.

S505: The SGSN then transmits the short message to a UE, that is,transmits the short message to the UE.

In this embodiment, the SGSN transmits the short message to the UE, andtransmission fails.

There are various reasons that the short message fails to betransmitted, which may be that the UE is unreachable, or the UE has noavailable storage space (for example, the storage space of the UEoverflows).

S506: The SGSN sends a short message transmission report message to theSMS-GMSC, to indicate that the short message fails to be transmitted.

S507: The SMS-GMSC sends the short message transmission report messageto the HLR/HSS, and receives a response message sent by the HLR/HSS.

The short message transmission report message sent by the SMS-GMSCcarries a parameter indicating a validity period of the short message.Certainly, the short message transmission report message may also carryindication information indicating whether a record needs to be added toMWD of the user when the short message fails to be transmitted.

Optionally, the short message transmission report message carries theparameter or the indication information, which may be implemented byusing an extension parameter of the short message transmission reportmessage or by using an existing parameter in the short messagetransmission report message.

In this embodiment, the short message that carries the parameterindicating the validity period of the short message is used as anexample. The parameter may specifically be Validity-Period.

S508: If the HLR/HSS determines that the short message fails to betransmitted, and if a value of the parameter is 0, skip adding a recordto the MWD of the user, where the record includes an identifier of aservice center for short message service SMS-SC serving the user.

Specifically, the identifier may be a number of the service center forshort message service, or may also be an address of the service centerfor short message service.

A sequence of S507 and S508 is not limited.

In this way, even though the UE is reachable or the UE has availablestorage space subsequently, the HLR/HSS does not need to instruct theSMS-SC to retransmit the short message to the UE.

S509: The SMS-GMSC sends the short message transmission report messageto the SMS-SC.

Optionally, in S507, if received Validity-Period is not 0, the HLR/HSSalso adds Validity-Period to the record of the MWD of the user, starts atimer, and when time indicated by Validity-Period is reached orexceeded, deletes the record; or, when the UE is reachable or the UE hasavailable storage space, the HLR/HSS notifies the SMS-SC if the HLR/HSSfinds that the parameter is still in the validity period.

Optionally, if transmission of multiple short messages to a same userthrough one SMS-SC fails, a maximum Validity-Period value among theValidity-Period values which respectively correspond to the shortmessages is always stored in the record of the MWD corresponding to theuser and the SMS-SC in the HLR/HSS.

According to the method for optimizing short message signaling providedin this embodiment, for a short message of which a parameter value of avalidity period of the short message is 0, after it is determined thatthe short message fails to be transmitted, an HLR/HSS skips adding anidentifier of an SMS-SC to MWD of a user, and subsequently, it is notrequired to instruct the SMS-SC to retransmit the short message to a UE.Therefore, signaling to the SMS-SC is reduced, and resource overheadsfor managing records in MWD in the system are saved.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a method for optimizing short messagesignaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and themethod provided in this embodiment may be applied to an MTC system.

S601: An SCS sends a device triggering request message to an MTC-IWF.

S602: The MTC-IWF sends a user information acquisition message to anHLR/HSS to acquire short message routing information from the HLR/HSSwhile requesting completing service authorization.

The user information acquisition message carries a parameter indicatinga validity period of a short message. Certainly, the user informationacquisition message may also carry indication information indicatingwhether a record needs to be added to MWD of a user when the shortmessage cannot be transmitted.

Optionally, the user information acquisition message carries theparameter or the indication information, which may be implemented byusing an extension parameter of the user information acquisition messageor by using an existing parameter in the user information acquisitionmessage.

In this embodiment, the user information acquisition message thatcarries the parameter indicating the validity period of the shortmessage is used as an example. The parameter may specifically beValidity-Period. A value of Validity-Period may be acquired by theMTC-IWF from a received message, or may also be configured on theMTC-IWF.

S603: If the HLR/HSS determines that the short message cannot betransmitted, and if a value of the parameter is 0, skip adding therecord to the MWD of the user, where the record includes an identifierof a service center for short message service serving the user.

Specifically, the identifier may be a number of the service center forshort message service, or may also be an address of the service centerfor short message service.

Specifically, if there is no available serving node (which may be one ofan MSC/VLR, an SGSN, and an MME) providing a short message service forthe user, it is determined that the short message cannot be transmitted.Generally, if the HLR/HSS records the serving node, such as the MSC/VLR,the SGSN, or the MME providing mobility management and a service for theuser, and when these nodes or some of the nodes can provide the shortmessage service, it indicates that there is an available serving nodefor providing the short message service for the user.

S604: The HLR/HSS returns a user information acquisition responsemessage to the MTC-IWF, where the user information acquisition responsemessage carries information indicating that there is no availableserving node for providing the short message service for the UE, and maybe indicated by not carrying information about any node, and may also beindicated by explicitly indicating a parameter of an “Absent Subscriber”at the same time.

A sequence of S603 and S604 is not limited.

S605: The MTC-IWF does not acquire the available serving node forproviding the short message service for the user, and returns a devicetriggering acknowledgement message to the SCS. When determining that thevalue of the parameter is 0, the MTC-IWF does not transmit a shortmessage triggering message to the service center for short messageservice SMS-SC, thereby also saving signaling from the MTC-IWF to theSMS-SC.

Optionally, in S603, if the value of Validity-Period received by theHLR/HSS is not 0, the HLR/HSS adds Validity-Period to the record of theMWD of the user, starts a timer, and when time indicated byValidity-Period is reached or exceeded, deletes the record; or, whenthere is an available serving node for providing the short messageservice for the user, the HLR/HSS notifies the SMS-SC only if theHLR/HSS finds that the parameter is still in the validity period.

Optionally, if transmission of multiple short messages to a same userthrough one SMS-SC fails, a maximum Validity-Period value among theValidity-Period values which respectively correspond to the shortmessages is always stored in the record of the MWD corresponding to theuser and the SMS-SC in the HLR/HSS.

According to the method for optimizing short message signaling providedin this embodiment, for a short message of which a parameter value of avalidity period of the short message is 0, after it is determined thatthe short message cannot be transmitted, an identifier of an SMS-SC isnot added to MWD of a user, and subsequently, it is not required toinstruct the SMS-SC to retransmit the short message to a UE. Therefore,signaling to the SMS-SC is reduced, and resource overheads for managingrecords in MWD in the system are saved.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a method for optimizing short messagesignaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and themethod provided in this embodiment may be applied to an MTC system.

S701: An SCS sends a device triggering request message to an MTC-IWF.

S702: The MTC-IWF sends a user information acquisition message to anHLR/HSS to acquire short message routing information from the HLR/HSSwhile requesting completing service authorization.

S703: After the service authorization is passed, the HLR/HSS returns auser information acquisition response message to the MTC-IWF, where theuser information acquisition response message carries information abouta serving node for providing a short message service for a user. Theinformation about the serving node for providing the short messageservice for the user may be a name or an address of one or all of anMSC/VLR, an SGSN, and an MME.

In this embodiment, the MSC/VLR is used as an example.

S704: The MTC-IWF sends the device triggering request message to anSMS-SC, where the device triggering request message carries information,which is returned by the HLR/HSS, about the serving node for providingthe short message service for the user.

S705: The SMS-SC returns a device triggering acknowledgement message tothe MTC-IWF.

S706: The MTC-IWF returns the device triggering acknowledgement messageto the SCS.

S707: The SMS-SC transmits the device triggering request message to aserving node received from the MTC-IWF, where the serving node is theMSC/VLR.

S708: The MSC/VLR transmits the device triggering request message to aUE.

S709: The MSC/VLR sends a short message transmission report message toan SMS-GMSC, to indicate that a short message fails to be transmitted.

S710: The SMS-GMSC sends the short message transmission report messageto the MTC-IWF.

S711: The SMS-GMSC sends the short message transmission report messageto the HLR/HSS, and receives a response message sent by the HLR/HSS.

The short message transmission report message may be aMAP_ReportSMDeliveryStatus message or a corresponding Diameter message.

The short message transmission report message sent by the SMS-GMSCcarries a parameter indicating a validity period of the short message.Certainly, the short message transmission report message may also carryindication information indicating whether a record needs to be added toMWD of the user when the short message fails to be transmitted.

Optionally, the short message transmission report message carries theparameter or the indication information, which may be implemented byusing an extension parameter for acquiring the short messagetransmission report message or by using an existing parameter in theshort message transmission report message.

In this embodiment, the short message transmission report messagecarrying the parameter indicating the validity period of the shortmessage is used as an example. The parameter may specifically beValidity-Period.

S712: If the HLR/HSS determines that the short message fails to betransmitted, and if a value of the parameter is 0, skip adding therecord to the MWD of the user, where the record includes an identifierof the service center for short message service SMS-SC serving the user.

Specifically, the identifier may be a number of the service center forshort message service, or may also be an address of the service centerfor short message service.

In this way, even though the UE is reachable or the UE has availablestorage space subsequently, the HLR/HSS does not need to instruct theSMS-SC to retransmit the short message to the UE.

S713: The MTC-IWF sends the short message transmission report message tothe SCS.

Optionally, in S711, if received Validity-Period is not 0, the HLR/HSSalso adds Validity-Period to the record of the MWD of the user, starts atimer, and when time indicated by Validity-Period is reached orexceeded, deletes the record; or, when the UE is reachable or the UE hasavailable storage space, the HLR/HSS notifies the SMS-SC only if theHLR/HSS finds that the parameter is still in the validity period.

Optionally, if transmission of multiple short messages to a same UEthrough one SMS-SC fails, a maximum Validity-Period value among theValidity-Period values which respectively correspond to the shortmessages is always stored in the record of the MWD corresponding to theuser and the SMS-SC in the HLR/HSS.

According to the method for optimizing short message signaling providedin this embodiment, for a short message of which a parameter value of avalidity period of the short message is 0, after it is determined thatthe short message fails to be transmitted, an HLR/HSS skips adding anidentifier of an SMS-SC to MWD of a user, and subsequently, it is notrequired to instruct the SMS-SC to retransmit the short message to a UE.Therefore, signaling to the SMS-SC is reduced, and resource overheadsfor managing records in MWD in the system are saved.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a method for optimizing short messagesignaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and themethod provided in this embodiment may be applied to an MTC system.

S801: An SCS sends a device triggering request message to an MTC-IWF.

S802: The MTC-IWF sends a user information acquisition message to anHLR/HSS to acquire short message routing information from the HLR/HSSwhile requesting completing service authorization.

S803: After the service authorization is passed, the HLR/HSS returns auser information acquisition response message to the MTC-IWF, where theuser information acquisition response message carries information abouta serving node for providing a short message service for a user. Theinformation about the serving node for providing the short messageservice for the user may be a name or an address of one or all of anMSC/VLR, an SGSN, and an MME.

In this embodiment, the MSC/VLR is used as an example.

S804: The MTC-IWF sends the device triggering request message to anSMS-SC, where the device triggering request message carries information,which is returned by the HLR/HSS, about the serving node for providingthe short message service for the user.

S805: An SMS-GMSC sends a short message routing request message to theHLR/HSS, to request short message routing information.

Optionally, the short message routing request message may be aMAP_SendRoutingInfoForSM request message.

Optionally, when an SMS-Router exists in a network, the SMS-GMSC sendsthe short message routing request message to the SMS-Router, and theSMS-Router then sends the short message routing request message to theHLR/HSS to request the short message routing information.

The short message routing request message carries a parameter indicatinga validity period of the short message. Certainly, the short messagerouting request message may also carry indication information indicatingwhether a record needs to be added to MWD of the user when the shortmessage cannot be transmitted.

Optionally, the short message routing request message carries theparameter or the indication information, which may be implemented byusing an extension parameter of the short message routing requestmessage or by using an existing parameter in the short message routingrequest message.

In this embodiment, the short message routing request message carryingthe parameter indicating the validity period of the short message isused as an example. The parameter may specifically be Validity-Period. Avalue of Validity-Period may be acquired by the SMS-GMSC from a receivedmessage, or may also be acquired by the SMS-GMSC from the SMS-SC, forexample, a value of Validity-Period is configured on the SMS-SC.

S806: If the HLR/HSS determines that the short message cannot betransmitted, and if a value of the parameter indicating the validityperiod of the short message is 0, skip adding the record to the MWD ofthe user, where the record includes an identifier of a service centerfor short message service serving the user.

Specifically, the identifier may be a number of the service center forshort message service, or may also be an address of the service centerfor short message service.

Specifically, if there is no available serving node (which may be one ofan MSC/VLR, an SGSN, and an MME) providing a short message service forthe user, it is determined that the short message cannot be transmitted.Generally, if the HLR/HSS records the serving node, such as the MSC/VLR,the SGSN, or the MME providing mobility management and a service for theuser, and when these nodes or some of the nodes can provide the shortmessage service, it indicates that there is an available serving nodefor providing the short message service for the user.

S807: The HLR/HSS returns a short message routing request responsemessage to the SMS-GMSC. The short message routing request responsemessage carries information indicating that there is no availableserving node for providing the short message service for the user, whichmay be specifically indicated in this embodiment by using AbsentSubscriber SMS.

Optionally, the short message routing request response message may be aMAP_SendRoutingInfoForSMS Response.

A sequence of S806 and S807 is not limited.

S808: The SMS-SC returns a device triggering acknowledgement message tothe MTC-IWF.

S809: The MTC-IWF returns the device triggering acknowledgement messageto the SCS.

According to the method for optimizing short message signaling providedin this embodiment, for a short message of which a parameter value of avalidity period of the short message is 0, after it is determined thatthe short message cannot be transmitted, an identifier of an SMS-SC isnot added to MWD of a user, and subsequently, it is not required toinstruct the SMS-SC to retransmit the short message to a UE. Therefore,signaling to the SMS-SC is reduced, and resource overheads for managingrecords in MWD in the system are saved.

FIG. 9 is a structural diagram of a device for optimizing short messagesignaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thedevice includes:

-   -   a receiving unit 91, configured to receive a message sent by a        network device, where the message carries a parameter indicating        a validity period of a short message sent to a user or        indication information indicating whether a record needs to be        added to MWD of a user when a short message cannot be        transmitted or fails to be transmitted; and    -   a processing unit 93, configured to: when it is determined that        the short message cannot be transmitted or fails to be        transmitted, and if a value of the parameter is 0 or the        indication information indicates that a record does not need to        be added to the MWD of the user when the short message cannot be        transmitted or fails to be transmitted, skip adding the record        to the short message waiting data MWD of the user, where the        record includes an identifier of a service center for short        message service serving the user.

Optionally, the processing unit 93 is further configured to: when thereis no available serving node for providing the short message for theuser, determine that the short message cannot be transmitted.

Optionally, the processing unit 93 is further configured to: when ashort message fails to be transmitted because a user equipment isunreachable or a user equipment has no available storage space,determine that the short message cannot be transmitted.

Optionally, the network device may be a gateway mobile switching centerfor short message service, and the message is a short message routingrequest message or a short message transmission report message.

Optionally, the device for optimizing short message signaling may be anHLR, or may also be an HSS, and is certainly not limited thereto.

For processing in the device for optimizing short message signaling, andinteraction with another device, reference may be made to description inthe method embodiments, which are not described herein again.

According to the device for optimizing short message signaling providedin this embodiment, for a short message of which a parameter value of avalidity period of the short message is 0, after it is determined thatthe short message fails to be transmitted, the device for optimizingshort message signaling skips adding an identifier of an SMS-SC to MWDof a user, and subsequently, the device for optimizing short messagesignaling also does not need to instruct the SMS-SC to retransmit theshort message to a UE. Therefore, signaling from the device foroptimizing short message signaling to the SMS-SC is reduced, andresource overheads for managing records in MWD in the system are saved.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a system for optimizing short messagesignaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thesystem includes a first device 1001 and a second device 1003.

The first device 1001 is configured to send a message to the seconddevice 1003, where the message carries a parameter indicating a validityperiod of a short message sent to a user or indication informationindicating whether a record needs to be added to MWD of a user when ashort message cannot be transmitted or fails to be transmitted.

The second device 1003 is configured to receive the message sent by thefirst device; and when it is determined that the short message cannot betransmitted or fails to be transmitted, and if a value of the parameteris 0 or the indication information indicates that the record does notneed to be added to the MWD of the user when the short message cannot betransmitted or fails to be transmitted, skip adding the record to theshort message waiting data MWD of the user, where the record includes anidentifier of a service center for short message service serving theuser.

Optionally, the second device 1003 may be the device for optimizingshort message signaling shown in FIG. 9, which is not described hereinagain.

The device for optimizing short message signaling may be an HLR, or mayalso be an HSS, and is certainly not limited thereto.

Optionally, the first device 1001 is a gateway mobile switching centerfor short message service, and the message sent by the first device 1001to the second device 1003 is a short message routing request message ora short message transmission report message.

In the system for optimizing short message signaling, for interactionbetween the first device and the second device, reference may be made todescription in the method embodiments, which are not described hereinagain.

According to the system for optimizing short message signaling providedin this embodiment, for a short message of which a parameter value of avalidity period of the short message is 0, after it is determined thatthe short message fails to be transmitted, the second device skipsadding an identifier of an SMS-SC to MWD of a user, and subsequently,the second device also does not need to instruct the SMS-SC toretransmit the short message to a UE. Therefore, signaling from thesecond device to the SMS-SC is reduced, and resource overheads formanaging records in MWD in the system are saved.

FIG. 11 is a structural diagram of another device for optimizing shortmessage signaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,which uses a structure of a universal computer system, where thecomputer system may specifically be a computer based on a processor. Asshown in FIG. 11, the user equipment includes at least one processor1101, a communications bus 1102, a memory 1103, and at least onecommunications interface 1104.

The processor may be a universal central processing unit (CPU), amicroprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit(application-specific integrated circuit, ASIC), or one or moreintegrated circuits configured to control execution of programs insolutions of the present disclosure.

The communications bus 1102 may include a path on which information istransmitted among the components. The communications interface 1104 usesany apparatus like a transceiver, and is configured to communicate withanother device or a communications network, such as an Ethernet, a radioaccess network (RAN), or a wireless local area network (WLAN).

The computer system further includes one or more memories which may be aread-only memory (ROM) or a static storage device of another type whichcan store static information and instructions, a random access memory(RAM) or a dynamic storage device of another type which can storeinformation and instructions, or may also be an electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM) or other optical disc memories, optical disc memories(including a compact disc, a laser disc, an optical disc, a digitalversatile disc, a Blu-ray disc, and the like), a magnetic disk storagemedium or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used for carrying or storing expected program code in an instructionor data structure form and can be accessed by a computer, but is notlimited thereto. These memories are connected to the processor throughthe bus.

The memory 1103 is configured to store program code implementingsolutions of the present disclosure, and the program code implementingthe solutions of the present disclosure is stored in the memory, and iscontrolled and implemented by the processor. The program code mayspecifically include: a receiving unit 11031 and a processing unit11033; the processor 1101 is configured to execute a unit stored in thememory 1103, and when the foregoing unit is executed by the processor1101, the following functions are implemented:

-   -   the receiving unit 11031 is configured to receive a message sent        by a network device, where the message carries a parameter        indicating a validity period of a short message sent to a user        or indication information indicating whether a record needs to        be added to MWD of a user when a short message cannot be        transmitted or fails to be transmitted; and    -   the processing unit 11033 is configured to: when it is        determined that the short message cannot be transmitted or fails        to be transmitted, and if a value of the parameter is 0 or the        indication information indicates that the record does not need        to be added to the MWD of the user when the short message cannot        be transmitted or fails to be transmitted, skip adding the        record to the short message waiting data MWD of the user, where        the record includes an identifier of a service center for short        message service serving the user.

Optionally, the processing unit 11033 is further configured to: whenthere is no available serving node for providing the short message forthe user, determine that the short message cannot be transmitted.

Optionally, the processing unit 11033 is further configured to: when ashort message fails to be transmitted because a user equipment isunreachable or a user equipment has no available storage space,determine that the short message fails to be transmitted.

Optionally, the network device may be a gateway mobile switching centerfor short message service, and the message is a short message routingrequest message or a short message transmission report message.

Optionally, the device for optimizing short message signaling may be anHLR, or may also be an HSS, and is certainly not limited thereto.

For processing in the device for optimizing short message signaling, andinteraction with another device, reference may be made to description inthe method embodiments, which are not described herein again.

According to the device for optimizing short message signaling providedin this embodiment, for a short message of which a parameter value of avalidity period of the short message is 0, after it is determined thatthe short message fails to be transmitted, the device for optimizingshort message signaling skips adding an identifier of an SMS-SC to MWDof a user, and subsequently, the device for optimizing short messagesignaling also does not need to instruct the SMS-SC to retransmit theshort message to a UE. Therefore, signaling from the device foroptimizing short message signaling to the SMS-SC is reduced, andresource overheads for managing records in MWD in the system are saved.

It should be noted that each embodiment in the specification isdescribed in a progressive manner. The same or similar parts in theembodiments are just references to each other. Every embodimentillustrates in emphasis what is different from the other embodiments. Inparticular, for the device embodiment, since it is basically similar tothe method embodiment, the device embodiment is described simply, andthe execution of specific functions for all units may be obtained withreference to the part of the description of the method embodiment. Thepreceding embodiments about the device are only exemplary. The unitsthat are described as separate components can be physically separated ornot physically separated, and the components displayed as units can bephysical units or not physical units. That is, the units or componentscan be located at one place or scattered on several network units. Apart or all of the modules may be selected according to actual needs toachieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments. A person ofordinary skill in the art can understand and implement the foregoingembodiments without creative efforts.

The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementation manners ofthe present disclosure, but are not intended to limit the protectionscope of the present embodiments. Any variation or replacement readilyfigured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scopedisclosed in the present disclosure shall fall within the protectionscope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of thepresent disclosure shall be subject to the protection scope of theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for optimizing short message signaling,the method comprising: sending, by a first device, a signaling messageto a second device, wherein the signaling message carries an indicationinformation indicating whether a record needs to be added to messagewaiting data (MWD) of a user when a short message of the user fails tobe transmitted, wherein the signaling message is a short message routingrequest message or a short message transmission report message;receiving, by the second device, the signaling message sent by the firstdevice; determining, by the second device, that the short message failsto be transmitted; and determining, by the second device, not to add therecord to the MWD of the user if the indication information carried inthe signaling message indicates that the record does not need to beadded to the MWD of the user when the short message fails to betransmitted.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determiningthat the short message fails to be transmitted comprises: determiningthat there is no available serving node for providing a short messageservice for the user; or determining that a user equipment of the userhas no available storage space.
 3. The method according to claim 1,wherein the second device comprises: a Home Location Register (HLR) or aHome Subscriber Server (HSS).
 4. The method according to claim 1,wherein the signaling message is sent from the first device to thesecond device through a message router.
 5. The method according to claim1, further comprising: receiving, by the first device, the short messagefrom a service capability server; and sending, by the first device, theshort message to a service center for short message service or a gatewayMSC for short message service.
 6. The method according to claim 5,wherein the short message is a device trigger request message.
 7. Acommunication system, the system comprising: a first device configuredto send a signaling message to a second device, wherein the signalingmessage carries an indication information indicating whether a recordneeds to be added to message waiting data (MWD) of a user when a shortmessage of the user fails to be transmitted, wherein the signalingmessage is a short message routing request message or a short messagetransmission report message; and the second device, wherein the seconddevice is configured to: receive the signaling message sent by the firstdevice, determine that the short message fails to be transmitted; anddetermine not to add the record to the MWD of the user if the indicationinformation indicates that the record does not need to be added to theMWD of the user when the short message fails to be transmitted.
 8. Thesystem according to claim 7, wherein the determining that the shortmessage fails to be transmitted comprises: determining that there is noavailable serving node for providing a short message service for theuser, or determining that a user equipment of the user has no availablestorage space.
 9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the firstdevice comprises: a gateway mobile switching center for short messageservice or a service center for short message service.
 10. The systemaccording to claim 7, wherein the second device comprises: a HomeLocation Register (HLR) or a Home Subscriber Server (HSS).
 11. Thesystem according to claim 7, wherein the first device is furtherconfigured to receive the short message from a service capabilityserver; and send the short message to a service center for short messageservice.
 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the short messageis a device trigger request message.
 13. A device comprising: at leastone processor; and a memory comprising program code which, when executedby the processor, causes the device to: receive a signaling message sentby a network device, wherein the signaling message carries an indicationinformation indicating whether a record needs to be added to messagewaiting data (MWD) of a user when a short message of the user fails tobe transmitted, wherein the signaling message is a short message routingrequest message or a short message transmission report message;determine that the short message fails to be transmitted; and determinenot to add the record to the MWD of the user if the indicationinformation indicates that the record does not need to be added to theMWD of the user when the short message fails to be transmitted.
 14. Thedevice according to claim 13, wherein the determining that the shortmessage fails to be transmitted comprises: determining that there is noavailable serving node for providing a short message service for theuser, or determining that a user equipment of the user has no availablestorage space.
 15. The device according to claim 13, wherein the devicecomprises: a Home Location Register (HLR) or a Home Subscriber Server(HSS).
 16. The device according to claim 13, wherein the short messageis a device trigger request message.
 17. A method for optimizing shortmessage signaling, the method comprising: sending, by a first device, asignaling message to a second device, wherein the signaling messagecarries an indication information indicating that a record does not needto be added to message waiting data (MWD) of a user when a short messageof the user fails to be transmitted, wherein the signaling message is ashort message routing request message or a short message transmissionreport message.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the firstdevice comprises: a gateway mobile switching center for short messageservice or a service center for short message service.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 17, further comprising: receiving, by the firstdevice, the short message transmission report message from a servingnode device for providing the short message service for the user. 20.The method according to claim 17, further comprising: receiving, by thefirst device, a short message from a service capability server; andsending, by the first device, the short message to a service center forshort message service or a gateway MSC for short message service. 21.The method according to claim 20, wherein the short message is a devicetrigger request message.
 22. The method according to claim 17, whereinthe second device comprises: a Home Location Register (HLR) or a HomeSubscriber Server (HSS).
 23. A device comprising: at least oneprocessor; and a memory comprising program code which, when executed bythe at least one processor, causes the device to: send a signalingmessage to a network device, wherein the signaling message carries anindication information indicating that a record does not need to beadded to message waiting data (MWD) of a user when a short message ofthe user fails to be transmitted, wherein the signaling message is ashort message routing request message or a short message transmissionreport message.
 24. The device according to claim 23, wherein thenetwork device comprises: a Home Location Register (HLR) or a HomeSubscriber Server (HSS).
 25. The device according to claim 23 comprises:a gateway mobile switching center for short message service or a servicecenter for short message service.
 26. The device according to claim 23,wherein the program code further causes the device to: receive the shortmessage transmission report message from a serving node device forproviding the short message service for the user.
 27. The deviceaccording to claim 23, wherein the program code further causes thedevice to: receive a short message from a service capability server; andsend the short message to a service center for short message service ora gateway MSC for short message service.
 28. The device according toclaim 27, wherein the short message is a device trigger request message.